In times past, the majority of consumers preferred to have face-to-face interactions with those they did business with, and many people still do, but we now live in an age of technology. More often than not, people are doing business with companies that are not local to them. We live in a technologically savvy world.
We’re not saying that one way is better than the other but this causes one to look at the effectiveness and costs of each. Do you enjoy the convenience of the internet and phone? How many times have you ordered things online? Do you ever call a toll-free number and talk to a company representative when you have a question, need support, or want to place an order? Have you ever joined a webinar or an online meeting? Business people in various locations can conduct meetings in a virtual environment. This allows people from anywhere in the world to join the same telephone call or virtual meeting and share information as well as receive much needed technical support. They’ve removed the need for participants to meet face-to-face. We live in an age where information is instantly and readily available to more people, and I’d venture to say that people enjoy the convenience.
If you’ve received technical assistance with a product or service, you understand the importance of working with a knowledgeable, caring technician even if it’s over the phone. The nature of our business at English Management Solutions, Inc. requires both onsite and remote meetings. We also communicate with our customers by email and phone on a daily basis. We are able to quickly assist our clients without the need for travel arrangements, the associated costs and time. Will English has performed complete system installations and upgrades by conducting remote meetings. With virtual meetings, Will can remote into our client’s systems to see where the problems lie, make the corrections, train the participants on how to use their software, etc. By using a virtual meeting platform, participants receive a specific website link to follow so the host and attendees can share their computer screens. They also receive a conference phone number with an access code for the audio portion. Participants can be at their own computers or all in one room with the computer screen projected onto a blank wall or projection screen. If everyone is in one room, they can simply use the phone’s speaker option.
Think about it. It is not uncommon for a consumer to call a company for product support and speak with a technician located in another part of the country or world. The larger companies usually have call centers, but smaller companies can provide more efficient, personalized assistance, and the caller does not have to work their way through a lengthy answering system until they’re routed to an available technician, only to hope they’ve reached the right department. When you work with a consultant or technician who already knows your product and/or system, they are a step ahead of someone who has to familiarize themselves with what you have in place, how you’re using it, etc. A patient, knowledgeable consultant/technician who speaks with clarity can carefully provide the necessary assistance even if they are in another part of the state, country or world. Don’t let distance be a deterrent in working with an expert, because to establish a business relationship with one is invaluable!
